According to last week's crop report, flax harvest has started in central Manitoba, but most fields in the province continue to dry-down, with some desiccation starting.

Eric Fridfinnson, chair of the Manitoba Flax Growers Association, says wet field conditions in some areas may affect flax quality, but even with average yields, he thinks producers will get a good return because flax prices are doing well.

"I think the story with flax is just now that the markets have improved. We've got the Chinese buying a lot of flax, and flax moving into the U.S.," he says. "We've also got some moving back into Europe again, so things are looking pretty good, I think, for flax growers."

And with good prices and demand, Fridfinnson says flax acreage in Manitoba has increased.

"Well really it comes down to economics," he says, "there's been a good opportunity to make money from flax, so people are getting back into it. And the triffid issue is largely resolved, so yes, there is good producer interest."

Fridfinnson says over the last number of years, the southwest corner of the province has grown a majority of flax in the province, however, he says would be surprised if flax acreage doesn't increase next year.